Sullivan County Fire Co. Awarded $126,000

State Senator Rick Santorum, Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and Senator Arlen Spec-ter, a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcom-mittees, announced that the De-partment of Homeland Security has approved funding for several fire companies in Pennsylvania. The only local fire company awarded was the Endless Winds Volunteer Fire Company in Sullivan County. Their award was $126,000.

"This funding provides our first responders with the training they need to provide the communities of Pennsylvania with the best protec-tion possible," said Sen. Santorum. "It is important that local fire de-partments and emergency personnel are outfitted with the equipment, tools and skills they need to provide services and support to their com-munities in times of need."

"Our Pennsylvania firefighters risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of millions of people," Sen. Specter said. "This grant will help assure their protection as they safeguard our communities. I com-mend the Office of Domestic Pre-paredness for recognizing this prior-ity and for its continued support of the nation's fire services."

These grants are the tenth round of funding from the Office of Do-mestic Preparedness (ODP) and the United States Fire Administration's Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program. Congress approved $750 million in direct assistance for the 2004 program to support firefight-ers throughout the country.

This program is designed to pro-vide an opportunity for the U.S. Congress and ODP to enhance fire services in locations across the country by providing funding for firefighting operations, firefighter safety, EMS delivery, vehicle pur-chase and prevention programs.

The only other company affected in the Northern Tier was the Morris Township Fire Company in Tioga County, which received $78,120.